The Colonel Al Byrne Award recognizes local individuals who share the late Colonel’s belief that all youth should be provided the facilities and adult leadership to experience athletic training and competitive individual and/or team sports. They also believe, as the Colonel did, that those youth that participate will learn skills and obtain values that will help them succeed in their later life endeavors. The award recipient has also demonstrated a commitment to these beliefs by sharing his or her time, talents and, in many cases, personal resources with no recognition required or desired. The award is voted on by the past presidents of the association and is a tightly held secret until the winner is revealed the night of the annual All Sports Association Awards Dinner each February.
Colonel Al Byrne Award Nomination Form (click HERE for form)
Please submit and non-electronic nominations to: Rube Manasco (phone 850-420-7624), Col. Al Byrne Award Chairman, [email protected], or mail to: All Sports Association, P.O. Box 2591, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32549
2020 Colonel Al Byrne Award Winner – Crawford “Bear” Henley
The All Sports Association was started by Colonel Al Byrne, who believed the youth in Northwest Florida should have the coaching, leadership, and facilities to participate in sports. After his passing in 1973, the Colonel Al Byrne Award was established to honor those who shared his beliefs and put those beliefs into action, often with little or no recognition.
The Colonel Al Byrne Award was presented to Crawford “Bear” Henley on February 7th, 2020, at the 51st All Sports Association Awards Banquet at the Emerald Coast Conference Center. Henley was selected for his work with the Boys and Girls Club, Fort Walton Beach City League Soccer program, Shalimar Football League, Boy Scouts Gulf Coast Council, and so much more.
In 1996, Henley took over a struggling Boys and Girls Club with just 30 members and grew it into a thriving organization serving 1,800 young people through seven clubs across three counties. Henley also transformed the Club financially, from significant debt to a stable financial footing.
Every one of the thousands of kids impacted by Henley seems to have a fond memory or story about his influence. Local business owner Robert Bustamante remembers how “Mr. Bear kind of rigged” a raffle so Robert could win the stuffed bear he wanted so much. Robert said, “I am who I am today because of Mr. Bear.” Another local business owner, Lydia Williams, a club member from ages 5 to 13, said, “I owe him so much.”
Henley is also recognized by community leaders. Okaloosa County Commissioner Carolyn Ketchel calls Henley “a quiet hero who walks among us.” William Hughes, Church Administrator for First Baptist Church of Fort Walton Beach, says “Bear’s heart for children, his community, and helping people is a quality rarely found in today’s world.”
In 2011, in recognition of Henley’s service, the Boys and Girls Club of the Emerald Coast dedicated the Fort Walton Beach Youth and Teen Center as the Crawford W. “Bear” Henley Boys and Girls Club.
Past Col. Al Byrne Award Winners
2019 George Goodall
2018 Ray Chavez
2017 Todd Gatlin
2016 Sherman Moon
2015 John Watts
2014 Brian and Kathy Haugen
2013 Bill Shirah
2012 Rev. James T. Ross
2011 Ralph Duncan
2010 Fred Carley
2009 Bob Lynn
2008 Tom Brassell, Don Pattison
2007 Rube Manasco
2006 Sam Brunson
2005 Paul Martin
2004 James C. “Jimmy” Campbell
2003 Mary Jane Ross
2002 Huburt “Rocky” Bates
2001 Bull Cochran
2000 James Campbell
1999 Bruce Ravan
1998 Charles Morgan, John Shortall
1997 Judge Alfred Ben Gordon, Jr., Kathleen A Ravan
1996 Ralph Frangioni
1995 Al Beedie
1994 Hiram Cook
1993 Leven Lord
1992 Bill Roberts, Jr., Pud Hutcheson, Robert Taylor
1991 Ray Deal, George Palmer
1990 Buddy O’Neal, H.A. Bruner, Jay Farris, Arthur Mikel
1989 Julius Rice, M.L. Hayden
1988 Michael Woodham
1987 Louis Woodham, H.P. Pat Campbell, Bill Preston, Sr., Gene Thomas
1986 Grady Smith
1985 Dr. Eddie Zant
1984 Ron Balicki
1983 O.R. Bailey
1982 Joe Etheridge
1981 Houston Harrison
1980 Jerry Brigante
1979 Rev. Talmadge Smith
1978 Buddy Elliott
1977 Dr. Jerry Hollingsworth
1976 Bettye Campbell
1975 Hal Wyatt
1974 Buck Smith
